Sjaella is an a cappella group of six young women from Leipzig, Germany whose beautifully blended voices and engaging manner have held audiences spellbound around the globe. Thanks to its unusual vocal combination, Sjaella performs a multi-faceted repertoire. The ensemble’s ethereal virtuosity will be showcased in Among the Branches, a stunning program featuring music from Purcell’s The Fairy Queen, folk songs from Northern Europe and contemporary tonal works including Caroline Shaw’s Dolce Cantavi. By uniting early and contemporary music with traditional songs, Sjaella explores the many facets of natural phenomena and mythological stories, inviting the listener to interpret the sounds of nature in connection with their place of belonging.

Limelight Editor’s Choice

Following a stunning debut at Melbourne Recital Centre in 2023, German a cappella ensemble Sjaella returns to the stage with their ethereal and soul-stirring voices. Embodying a blend of youthful exuberance and refined artistry, their performances at the Rheingau Musik Festival, Mozarteum Salzburg, and collaborations with the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra have cemented their reputation as one of the most captivating vocal ensembles of our time.

Performing commissioned works and original arrangements from their critically acclaimed album Origins, Sjaella seamlessly traverses contemporary and Baroque masterpieces. From the opening notes of David Lang’s poignant evening morning day to Henry Purcell’s enchanting adaptation of A Midsummer’s Night Dream, The Fairy Queen, Sjaella masterfully weaves old and new in a performance rich with sensitivity and depth.